ILOILO – Doctors are able to effectively persuade teenagers to avoid getting pregnant at an early age. The teens respond well to a medical explanation of the consequences, the Provincial Population Office has observed.
This may have contributed to the decrease in the teenage birth incidence in this province, according to the PPO chief.
Teenage birth incidence in Iloilo reached just 9.8 percent in 2017, said Ramon Yee.
“Base sa survey kag data nga ginkuha sang aton mga volunteers and Barangay Service Point Officers, ang total teenage birth incidence nagalab-ot sa 2,213 out of the 22,371 total births in 2017,” he said.
Classified as teenaged mothers are pregnant females aged 19 years old and below.
The youngest among the teenaged mothers in the province in 2017 was 14 years old.
The 2017 figure was lower than in 2016, when the teenage birth incidence was 10.8 percent (2,583) and in 2015, when it was 9.9 percent (2,512), said the PPO.
Yee consider the symposiums in school-based multipurpose teen centers as among factors contributing to the decrease.
The PPO has established 48 teen centers across the province since 2015. Two more such facilities are expected to be inaugurated this year.
With guidance counselors or trained peer helpers facilitating, teen centers hold symposiums discussing the prevention of early sexual engagement and teenage pregnancy, Yee said.
In addition, some of the teen centers have initiated what they call “doctor hours.”
A physician pays them a visit to explain what happens to the body when someone gets pregnant and gives birth at a young age, said Yee.
Yee said they found this to be an effective strategy – having a medical authority make the teenagers understand the consequences of early pregnancy to their reproductive health and overall health.
Mostly what counselors from provincial or municipal population offices touch on during interactions with young mothers is readiness to have children and the future of the family.
“Sa amon sa population offices ang ginahambal lang namon amo nga ano ang matabo kon magbusong ikaw,” said Yee.
But medical and technical information from doctors are “more persuasive.”
“Sometimes the doctors would ask the teens about the readiness of specifically their reproductive system,” Yee said.
Teenagers get discouraged from early sexual engagement more if they are able to understand the effect on their reproductive system, like the “risks” it may be exposed to when not mature enough for reproduction, he added.
Moreover, teen center facilitators also teach teenagers how to avoid illegal drugs and other vices, including smoking and drinking – habits that tend to develop during the teenage years.
The PPO continuously campaigns against teenage pregnancy.
Aside from the symposiums, the office also puts out at the teen centers flyers and other materials that teenagers may read during visits, Yee said.
According to Yee, this campaign is ultimately aimed at “producing quality people” and thereby contributing to a “better society.”/PN
